Student Post "Aviana" - Issue 02

2023-2024

Issue 02

Aviana STUDENT POST elleni

embrace expression. echo excellence.

CONTENTS SECTION 0 content page a word from the editor 3

SECTION 1

SU activities 4 school-organised activities

SECTION 2

extra-curricular activities competitions 11

SECTION 3 interviews with teachers, NGOs, the WBB programme 22

SECTION 4 creative writing

37

SECTION 5 word search 45 elleni’s playlist students’ favorite spots

a word from the editor

In this final issue, it dawns upon me the The pulsar radiates beams each millisecond, ephemerality of our interflow. As I pen these which merge into perpetual rays of words, a bittersweet titillation lingers in my illumination. Yes, our time here is chest, as if hesitant to bid adieu to the ink- momentary. Yes, our happiness is short-lived. stained dreams that waltzed upon these Yes, as one, our glow will last a lifetime. hallowed pages. Like a fleeting comet, our time as your Student Union Elleni has As the ink dries upon this final page, we wear elapsed. Here, I collect our scattered stardust, badges of honor: for adopting a new Identity rearrange our cosmos, and gather our as your student leaders, for serving you thoughts into a final farewell. through endless Innovation and pioneering activities, for nurturing bonds of Interrelation Launching the new and reinventing the old, that you and I cherish, and most importantly, we dared to defy the ordinary. From St. Paul’s for staying true to the St. Paulian spirit.

Kitchen “Carne” to local exchanges “Okami”, Within transient endings lies the eternal we held the ambitions of the avant-garde promise of beginnings, of infinitude, and of tight in our embrace. Fully conscious of the tomorrows together. Our galactic journey impending bell, our hearts chose to live in shall ever unfold. blissful ignorance: seizing the day, snagging the last reverberations of laughter, savoring With gratitude and a heart full of the remnants of our shared jubilation. Now, anticipation, the time is up. The bell rings, we let go, and as the curtain gracefully descends, I stand humbled by the privilege of being your guide through these constellations of memories.

Grace Seto

3

SU

2024

TERM 2

SECTION 1 CHRISTMAS FAIR & BALL

Our school was adorned with festive cheer as Elleni orchestrated two unforgettable events, the Christmas Fair “Tarandro” and the Christmas Ball “Retrouver”. These events provided us with a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in the magic of the holiday season, creating cherished memories that would surely be treasured for years to come.

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As the winter air filled with anticipation, the school covered playground transformed into a whimsical realm for the Christmas Fair “Tarandro”. Colorful booths decorated with twinkling lights and shimmering decorations lined the courtyard, inviting us to explore the delights that awaited us.

Laughter and excitement filled the air as we eagerly engaged in a variety of activities.

Carolers, their voices harmonious and heartwarming, serenaded the crowd with beloved Christmas melodies. The air was alive with the cheers and laughter of students engaging in fun games at game stalls, reveling in the spirit of camaraderie.

Tantalizing scents wafted from food stalls, offering different delectable treats. We savored the flavors of the season, our taste buds tingling with delight.

‘Tarandro’

Within the vibrant festivities, Tarandro went beyond mere celebration. It provided a meaningful platform for us to engage in acts of kindness and compassion. The Fair reminded us of the spirit of giving during the holiday season and encouraged us to spread joy and support those in need.

Christmas fair & ball

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The anticipation reached its peak as the night of the Christmas Ball “Retrouver” arrived. Elegantly dressed students filled the hall of Wah Yan College Hong Kong. The venue had been transformed into a breathtaking space, with shimmering lights creating an atmosphere of joy.

‘Retrouver’

Ice-breaking activities in the classroom allowed students from the three schools - Belilios Public School, Wah Yan College Hong Kong, and our school to know more about each other and break down barriers. Laughter echoed throughout the ballroom as new friendships were forged. Students mingled and reveled in the company of peers from different schools, as the dance floor became a stage for magic as students swayed and twirled to the rhythm of lively music. The singing and rapping performances added a unique and unforgettable touch to the ball. The ballroom became a place where worries of the upcoming exam melted away, and the sheer bliss of celebration took hold.

As the night drew to a close, the ballroom was filled with a bittersweet sentiment. Students had experienced a night of enchantment, with new friendships built and memories etched forever in their hearts. The Christmas ball had not only brought together students from different schools, but it had also united everyone in the spirit of joy and celebration.

As the festivities concluded, the memories created at these events would continue to echo in the hearts of all who attended, making this Christmas an especially memorable one for us all.

By 4D 18 Sophie Tsang

TERM 2

EPD SHARING SECTION 1

AVIANA

2024 PAGE 07

AVIANA

2024

VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL After enduring several years of the

On the day of the visit, we gathered at

COVID-19 pandemic, the junior form

the MTR station and walked together to

service-learning programs have finally

SLS. After a briefing session, we warmly

made a comeback. This year, all Form 3

welcomed our partners from SLS and

students have been divided into different

kicked off the day with an ice-breaking

batches to take part in the F3 Saviour

session of 'rock, paper, scissors'. To my

Lutheran School (SLS), Choi Jun School

surprise, the students at SLS displayed

(CJS), and St. Paul’s Co-educational

enthusiasm and actively participated in

College

Integration

the ice-breaking activities. They even

Programmes on weekends from March to

invited us to engage in conversations

April. It's an exciting opportunity for us to

with them. I discovered that we share

design and execute group activities, such

common interests, such as one of the

as dodgeball and orienteering, alongside

boys at SLS having participated in the

students with special education needs

Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival and

and mental disabilities.

having

(SPCC)

School

a

keen

interest

in

English.

Additionally, the students shared fun As a member of Batch 1,

facts about themselves, like their love for

our group had the privilege

bubble tea and fruits.

of

visiting

the

Saviour

Lutheran School (SLS) in Shek Kip Mei. Some of us were assigned as group leaders,

responsible

for

demonstrating the games and overseeing different game

stations,

while

others were paired up with SLS students as partners.

BY 3D(27) SOPHIE TANG

PAGE 08

AVIANA

2024

VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL When it was time for the group activities, we engaged in various games, including spelling challenges and KaBoom. KaBoom required close cooperation between us and our partners, as we had to pay attention and step on cards representing different numbers in the correct order. Everyone was incredibly focused, and we divided the workload efficiently. The SLS students actively participated and offered suggestions on how we could collaborate better, ensuring that we completed the task within the shortest possible time.

One aspect of the program that left a lasting impression on me was the level of independence exhibited by the majority of students at SLS. Many of them traveled to and from school on their own and even bought their breakfast along the way. Their independence is truly admirable and serves as a testament to their resilience and determination.

BY 3D(27) SOPHIE TANG

PAGE 09

AVIANA

2024

VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Similarly, my friends who participated in orienteering games in the Hong Kong Park with CJS students found that the students were not only obedient to rules but also tried their best to run and search for checkpoints, finishing the tasks in the shortest time.

Overall, the visit to SLS was an eyeopening

experience,

while

we

are

grateful for the privilege of being part of the F3 SLS, CJS, and SPCC School Integration Programmes, as they have enriched not only our own lives but also the lives of those we had the honor to meet and interact with students with special education needs. It not only fostered empathy, understanding, and appreciation for individuals with different abilities but also taught us a powerful lesson: 'We should never label others.'

Disabilities do not define a person's passion

for

learning.

Instead,

we

witnessed firsthand how they possess a unique blend of obedience and an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn.

BY 3D(27) SOPHIE TANG

PAGE 10

SECTION 2

ExtraCurricular Activities & Competitions

AVIANA

12

Cdt

中文辯論隊隊長感想 辯論對普通人而言或許只是唇槍舌劍，甚 至是「吵架」的代名詞。要我介紹，也不知 該從何說起；但我只能說，將大部分中學生 涯投入在辯論當中，我絕不後悔。

我是聖保羅男女中學中文辯論隊的隊長苗 琪晞。相信大家都曾在早會的通告時間聽到 過辯論隊的宣布，每聽到一次，就代表辯論 隊多贏了一次。不過辯論的可控性很低，若 你是個好勝的人，那辯論必然會令你感到艱 辛。即便你自問用盡全力在一個又一個禮拜 裡拼命準備，但受辯題、賽制、評判、狀態，對手的準備等等因素所限，輸 贏始終難料，這就是我因此感到無力的原因。接觸辯論前，我習慣對事情有 著極高的掌控度，行事保守自尊心亦強，很怕失敗。這三年來輸了一次又一 次，不能說是習慣了失敗，但或許找到了辯論的魅力。緊張又茫然是每一個 辯論員因為重視這個活動才會有的感覺。這種感覺是無法克服的，只能靠不 斷累積經驗和知識盡力習慣。每場比賽都只是辯 途中一個小小的里程碑，贏就多一點火花；輸亦 不見得會令整個辯途黯淡無光。曾經付出過的時 間和心力，早已內化為個人成長路上的睿智， 過程中也結識了互相扶持的好戰友。

AVIANA

隊友是我在辯途上最大的收穫。「太想 伸手摘星星的話，會忘記腳下有鮮花。」是 我最近很喜歡的一句話。這幾年來難免總是 被要衝擊獎杯的想法沖昏了頭腦，忘了身旁 有一群共同奮鬥的隊友。辯論的準備時間通 常是一個禮拜，在這個禮拜裡我們朝夕相 見，在學校開會見，回家繼續網上會議見。 認真準備比賽的時間外，我們會閒聊家常， 會一起哭一起笑，在辯場外也是彼此的好朋 友。今年中五是我中學辯論生涯裡的最後一 年，在剩餘的時間除了想盡力多獲得一點成 就外，最大的心願就是要好好珍惜與隊友相 處的時間。即便最後結果不如意，未能天道 酬勤，重要的也是我們在一起的每個瞬間， 就算傷心，也算盡情活過。願我們不知還能 燃燒多久的火苗，可以再燎亮多一點時間。

13

AVIANA

Hip Hop

Team B

Avery Tam This team is not just about dancing.

I am glad I chose to join Hip Hop Team B in Form Two. Throughout the years, I’ve witnessed the evolution of the team, and bonded with people that I wouldn’t have met outside of the dance room. This is the place where everything started, the passion, the friendships, the team spirit.

Every Thursday, we dance in the Dance Room for an hour and a half. During times like Spring and Summer, which are the post-competition period, we would try out different genres of dance, namely Hip Hop, jazz funk, and others I don’t even remember the name of.

Memorizing the names and steps of those dances is not the point anyway, because we had fun, and we broke out of our comfort zone to explore in areas we weren’t that familiar with. It’s sort of like a tradition, where the seniors of the team take care of the newer members, helping them out with the seemingly impossible-to-learn-in-30minutes steps. I liked that, and it pulled us closer, dance step by dance step.

ELLENI

14

AVIANA

Nonetheless, the highlight of the year is definitely the Inter-School Dance Festival.

I’ve experienced it three times, three different themes, three different stages, and a bunch of new people each time. In rehearsals, the choreography would adjust accordingly to the skill level of each batch of people, with dazzling patterns that I absolutely adore. I still vividly recall the anxiety of stepping on the stage for the T first time in Form Three, pouring my heart and soul into the only chance we got on stage. The tears we cried after we finished the performance, erupted into cheers in the performance hall when we won. The dance that we thought looked goofy in practice, transformed into energy and determination on stage. The hard work didn’t go to waste, everyone left with a grin on their face.

If you are interested in dance and want to have a great time learning studio-like classes, come to the audition for Hip Hop Team B next academic year!

ELLENI

But what if we lost? Even after hours and hours of hard work, our piece this year was awarded a grade that was lower than what we received last year, which some of us considered losing. We had high expectations, the storyline was great, and we loved the drama and the atmosphere. We were worried about the lack of emotions, but we thought we did great. What exactly went wrong? The answer was frequent mistakes and the overemphasis on the ‘drama’ element. Things T happen, and it is understandable that our nervousness and unfamiliarity with the environment lead to mistakes. Everyone pulled out their phones, ready to scream as loud as we could when they announced us in the ‘honors’ category, but dead silence hung in the air. Our hearts sank, sniffles peaking through the cheers from other schools. I looked to the side, the dancers were crying.

We left the performance hall with redrimmed eyes, sobbing with our heads down.

15

Smvc - Katie Wong “One choir, one soul.” We chanted it over and over again, and under the screams of joy and tears of happiness, we were crowned as “Most Outstanding Choir of the Year”. We could have never expected it, and we embraced this victory with hearts of gratefulness and thankfulness towards all those who supported us on this journey, especially our beloved conductor and teacher, Mr Apollo Wong.

16

SMVC practices started off as weekly routines for us, walking down to Admiralty under the faint street lights at 7pm. We constantly glanced up at the clock, waiting for rehearsals to end so we could go home and finish our homework.

Months passed by in a hazy blur. We were still unfamiliar with the Music Festival competition pieces, and February arrived. The Choral Training Camp was held during the Lunar New Year holidays, and we were constantly singing for three whole days. Hours of singing made us start to warm up with the pieces and with the people singing around us. The first competition of the Music Festival was only a week away from the Choral Training Camp, and we started seeing the stress on our part leaders' faces. Luckily for us, we were able to memorize everything quickly and we strode to our competition venues with high hopes and confidence.

Our Boys Choir delivered a powerful performance with Coonarwin, a song sung by a father to his rebellious son, and Little Innocent Lamb, which speaks of serving the Lord. Despite the lack of experience on stage for most of our boys, they were able to achieve the first triumph with a result of second runner-up in the Boys’ Foreign Language competition. Thrilled by the news of their achievements, us girls went to our own contest, the Girls’ Foreign Language competition. Singing our songs The Lord is My Shepherd and Laudate pueri Dominum, we believed we did our best on stage as The Lord is My Shepherd was sung in pure, clean, and balanced voices. Most of us were extremely nervous as Laudate pueri Dominum required absolute perfection in synchronization and accuracy of body movements. To our dismay, the results did not meet our expectations. We were not in the top three, and we were disappointed in ourselves. Nonetheless, we had to move onwards and carry on our competition.

17

The next competition was Foreign Language Mixed, and we were singing Vidi Aquam and our beloved Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine. Vidi Aquam was another piece of holy music, and like The Lord is My Shepherd, it demanded perfect balance between voice parts. Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine brought the audience into the story of Leonardo when he was lured to build a machine that enabled him to fly and the actual journey of flying. Imitating the wind, siren voices added touches of magicalness to the song, and singing it was truly like flying in the sky. After performing both songs, we were once again confident as we believed our songs were executed to our best.

Unfortunately, again, we were not in the top three. Rounds of disappointment washed upon us, and a lot of us cried upon the constant defeats. We were completely lost and every ounce of our confidence was dying as our efforts were once again not recognised. Upon arriving back at school, we were all holding on to packets of tissues that were soaked with tears and could not look into other teammates’ eyes without crying again.

18

We could not let ourselves dwell in this sadness for long as our last chance to prove ourselves was not far from the previous competition. The Chinese Mixed Voice competition held the last two tickets to the Finals, and we could only put all our hope in our two Chinese songs, 星 星 許 的 願 and 信 . The final rehearsals for the Chinese competition were unforgettable, as we were whispering words of encouragement to each other though we all were holding back tears. A lot of us were very sick by that time, hours of rehearsals and heavy amounts of schoolwork exhausted every drop of our energy. Coughs and sneezes were heard everywhere, yet we carried on. We wanted to give our best on stage, and we wanted to not have any regrets. Our choir motto was 「搏盡無悔」, and we wished we could fully enjoy ourselves for the last time on the stage.

In the song 信, there are lyrics like 「寧願化飛灰，不作微塵。寧投烈火裡面卻留痕，寧願讓光輝 耗盡而滅，也不隨朽木同腐同爛」, and we wished to be just like what the lyrics described.

Yet with little time and little energy, we were unable to practice fully before the competition. I remembered how we did not even sing the entire piece of 信 once before getting onto the bus to the competition venue. On the bus, Mr. Wong was still briefing us with some last-minute reminders while the part leaders were calling the other bus so we could all listen to the reminders together despite being on two separate buses.

To be frankly honest, the Chinese Mixed Voice competition was the one we were least prepared for and least confident about. We did not expect to win anything or achieve any rewards, and we were just aiming to sing our best so we could enjoy the stage and be fully immersed in the beautiful songs. On the stage, I felt ourselves connected through music and we meant every single word that we sang out. At the end of 信, I saw a few of us getting teary-eyed as the lyrics 「人在世該生活，而非生存。」After the last phrase 「 我 相 信 」 , I saw smiles of satisfaction and quivering lips trying to hold back tears. Completely moved by our singing, we went down the stage with music and devotion towards SMVC lingering in our vocal cords.

19

When the results were announced, we were holding hands and clutching each other, hearts beating together though we knew we were happy enough already. Miraculously, our school name was announced as finalists. I heard highpitched yellings, happy sobs, and ‘we did it’s swirling in the hall, and as our lyrics of 信 say, 「仍然相信，念念不忘，必有迴響。」. Or hard work paid off, and we were off to the finals.

The finals were held on 18th March, and our section only started at 9 pm. Instead of exhausting ourselves with tiring last-minute training, Mr Wong let us take a lot of rest as he knew we were already tired from a day of school. After dinner, we lay across the school hall, and next to one another, we slept for some time. It was a whole new experience for us, to take naps with teammates, and to watch Mr Wong tirelessly prepare himself on the stage of the hall. The competition started with us being completely amazed by others’ performances.

When it was our turn, we did not hold any fears.

We did not come to compete, we came to do our best and perform music. We came to touch each other’s hearts with voices of burning passion. We came to sing. And we sang, pouring all of our souls into the songs and speaking to each other through music. As the lyrics say, 「願 旋律響遍每一年，願回音穿透延續下去。」When our song ended, I could see beautiful smiles on everyone’s faces, as we knew we sang our hearts out and we told our rocky journey to the audience.

Our fellow finalists were all marvelous teams of talented singers, and we appreciated their singing as much as their art of performing. We could never believe our ears when we heard our school name being announced as the winner of Chinese Mixed, Best Mixed, and Most Outstanding Choir of the Year. It all felt like a dream, with waves of euphoria crashing upon us as we hugged and cried at the delightful news. We heard applause, congratulations, and trophies, but most importantly, we heard the most astounding version of SMVC.

From the defeating start of the journey to the final victory, we experienced an array of emotions along the way. We cried tears of disappointment, tears of heartbreak, and we cried tears of joy. It was the most memorable journey a team could walk through together. Hand in hand, we witnessed the miraculous ways in which our voice melted into each other, we became the Most Outstanding Choir of the Year. The deafening sorrows of the past contests were all made worthwhile by this final glory. We promised to keep working hard and to keep singing. After the competition, we heard from other people that some of the judges cried when we were singing. That meant even more than the awards, as we did what music was supposed to do, to touch the souls of those who hear our voices, as our lyrics stated:「期盼我歌聲感化萬人，承 傳著歌韻不變靈魂。 」

We would have never achieved such glory without our dearest Mr Apollo Wong. He worked tirelessly for us, teaching us how to sing despite our constant failure to execute his teachings. When we were hopeless and defeated, he did not give up on us. Instead, he encouraged us again and again and comforted us when we all cried of disappointment towards ourselves. He told us he could not sleep after our first two defeats, and we were heartbroken when we heard how he was blaming himself and feeling worried for us.

He said he just wanted us to be happy and he did not care about the awards. We all burst into tears upon hearing him say so. He showed us devotion to music and devotion to teaching. We are more than thankful for having such a teacher to guide us on this journey and he was the reason we won.「我相信薪火相傳的愛。 」

This is a story of singers, the journey of a team, and a core memory of the whole choir.

“One choir, one soul.”

21

Section 3

Interviews

with Teachers, NGOs, and SPCC Alumnus & Director of the WBB Programme

Aviana

ELLENI

A Glimpse Into the Inner Working of the

CRC

The Class Representative Committee, or CRC for short, is the student body committee that aims to act as the bridge between the Student Union and our schoolmates to foster communication. It ensures students can voice their opinions and have them reflected to the school. As the chairperson of the CRC this year, I would like to share some of my experiences working in this position.

While the CRC is generally less known amongst students at our school, it plays a huge role in the election process of a student union. I, along with the rest of the class representative committee, am responsible for relaying information from the Student Union on their Year Plan and Year Budget and conducting a voting session amongst the entire school to determine the approval of the Year Plan and Year Budget. This task may seem straightforward at first, but my experience from this year has argued otherwise. As a result of opposing views regarding the financial budget of Elleni, this year, the voting results had to be checked several times, a first in school history. This was rather challenging to me as my teacher advisors and I had to come up with completely new and appropriate measures to tackle this unforeseen circumstance while catering to both the demands of the students and the needs of the Student Union. Ultimately, after modifications to Elleni’s year budget and a re-voting, the Year Plan and Budget were both passed by a majority vote, which concluded this tumultuous saga.

Chairperson of CRC, Class Representative Committee Lucas Wang Chuen Li 5I

The evaluation of Student Union activities is another key job of the CRC. To maintain the quality standard of all activities held by the Student Union, every class representative is tasked to evaluate one or two activities throughout the year.

Being the leader of such a large student organization, it is not an easy task to come up with the observation rota. The vast number of Student Union activities held created further difficulties as only a limited number of them could be feasibly evaluated, meaning they must be selected via a criterion and ranked according to their importance. The solution I ended up coming up with involved asking my peers for help: I asked them to rank the Student Union activities based on personal significance, thereby limiting personal bias and upholding a certain degree of objectivity.

From these experiences working as the chairperson of the Class Representative, I have gained invaluable attributes as a student leader and have made me understand the importance of decision-making and effective listening in leadership, which I believe will be useful in the future. From one student to another, I actively encourage you to seek similar leadership positions, whether it is the captain of sports teams or the chairman of clubs. The experience will only enrich you and prepare you for the road ahead.

23

CEO of E-concept, Jason Kuan Yu Qian

E-concept

E-Concept is a student-led organisation established by a group of SPCC students in 2020, mainly holding free online tuition classes and educational activities for underprivileged youngsters. Over the years, we have served over 400 students and our mission has been supported by over 300 committed volunteers. Driven by our motto of “empower with education, cultivate with care”, we have been working independently and collaborating with various charities such as Caritas and HK Church Network for the Poor to hold regular online tuition classes and diverse events for eager young learners.

A flagship initiative that we are proud to share is that we gathered like-minded students passionate about volunteering, education, or both. Now, our volunteer network covers not only students from our school but also many from other schools in Hong Kong and abroad. Our recent efforts in external reach seamlessly integrated E-Concept with other student-led organisations such as STEMford and Project Circle, enhancing our ability to provide effective and high-quality service to those in need collectively. The integration obviously facilitated our reach and impact on society, presenting solid proof of the importance of strategic management in bringing social change. It has always been said that a compassionate mindset is the key to social impact. Yet, in my opinion, many changes could not be easily brought about by discrete and individual volunteering efforts, since each of us has limited time. I realised that it is only through both an appropriate mindset and effective management of resources that can truly help those around us to the greatest extent we can. I am glad that my team understands my vision and is willing to do their best they could to facilitate our management of the organisation, telling people that we are not just a student-led organisation, but also a responsible, dedicated and impactful social enterprise, whose ability to serve shall not be underestimated.

As the CEO of E-Concept, I am very glad to have witnessed our growing impact on society. At every event, I truly felt the passion of our teammates, and their eagerness to serve the community and bring change to education. A poignant moment was captured vividly during the Squatter House Visit in August. The children smiled sweetly and their positivity never declined throughout the days. It is just so easy to create smiles and waves of laughter for those around us. The memory constantly reminded me of the profound impact of education and volunteering, which can bring huge impact and immeasurable joy for many.

My journey with E-Concept has also enlightened me and taught me a lot of new skills. Undoubtedly, leading the team required me to foster unity and always act as a problemsolver. The countless hours I worked have honed my communication, problem-solving and management skills.

Despite occasional conflicts within the team, I am pleased to see that all arguments stem from thoughtful considerations for the organisation and society. I have also gained invaluable experiences such as writing proposals, attending external meetings in actual office buildings, and bulk purchasing of stationery and clothes. I strongly believe that having these experiences is the only stepping stone to becoming a good leader in society. In addition, I have attained some surprising skills and knowledge, including leaflet distribution (for the STEM event last summer), simple bike repairing (as a volunteer’s bike broke down during our cycling event) and geographical and historical knowledge about Northern district in Hong Kong (for a multifaceted understanding about the situation of squatter house families). My growth and experiences because of E-Concept have truly impressed me.

Volunteering is not just about bringing assistance to those in need, but also about shaping ourselves to become a better and more capable leader of the future.

It is the moment I think back to the shared smiles and collective commitment when I feel that my secondary school life is fruitful and fulfilled. Of course, balancing volunteering and academics is not an easy accomplishment, nor a risk that everyone is willing to take, but I reassure everyone that volunteering and advocacy are fulfilling experiences. I hope that our notion of empowering others through education will never diminish, but continue leaving a lasting impact towards those in need.

25

Prefect Board

Deputy Head Prefect

Ivan Yuen

1. What do you do as Deputy Head Prefect? What are some misconceptions some students may have regarding your post?

My job as Deputy Head Prefect involves maintaining the discipline of the students in SPCC, by doing uniform checks before and after assembly at the entrances, and patrolling the corridors during lunchtime. We also carry out uniform checks and patrolling duties during school events like Sports Day and Swimming Gala.

However, what people don't know is that my job doesn't only involve disciplinary matters. My job also involves being in charge of some internal events of the Prefect Board, such as holding auditions for the prefect announcers, the Enrichment Programme Day (EPD) for F4 students, and training for prefect trainees. We also help out at various school events, such as Speech Day and Alumni Homecoming Day. Many students may think my only job is to patrol the corridors, but it actually involves a lot of preparation, planning and organisation.

Deputy Head Prefect

Ivan Yuen

2. Are there any mishaps you’ve encountered during your period of service?

If so, how did you deal with them?

No amount of planning can prepare you for unforeseen circumstances. Very often, these are the challenges that I face when I am on duty. On occassions, some prefects may be absent from their duties due to being sick or having other stuff to do.

During these scenarios, we have to quickly instruct the available prefects to cover all duty locations.

However, the most challenging scenario I encountered was on the first Sports Day. When the events started to overrun, we didn’t have an extra group of prefects arranged for the situation, so the prefects on the last shift had to patrol the arena for more than 2 hours consecutively. Because of this, we had to quickly come up with a solution so that the prefects would not get too tired. In the end, we arranged for one prefect in each duty area to patrol while the other took a break, and they would swap after some time.

3. What are some skills or knowledge you gained while serving in this position?

I have learnt a lot of leadership skills during my period of service.

Firstly, I have learnt that proper preparation is crucial for any event, and during my period of service, I have been able to polish my preparation skills. From the prefect announcer audition to the trainee training, everything requires prior preparation to ensure the smooth running of the events. Throughout my period of service, I have learnt how to prepare a comprehensive plan for different events, making sure all aspects of the event are covered, as well as preparing multiple contingency plans to ensure the event can continue smoothly under different circumstances. I have also sharpened my decision-making skills, especially the ability to adapt to different situations and decide how to deal with a certain situation. Everytime I carry out my duties, I face different scenarios, different people, and different challenges, and it is crucial that I have these abilities to make a decision on the spot to efficiently lead the other prefects, as well as carry out my duties effectively. Finally, I have learnt to be more observant. During my duties, I have to be vigilant and take heed of my surroundings in order to decide what 26 has to be done and act quickly.

Teacher Interviews WITH MS HELEN KWOK COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PETS? CURRENTLY, I AM OWNED BY ONE MONGREL. OOPS I MEANT TO SAY I OWN ONE MONGREL. KNOWN FOR HER UNDERBITE, CASHEW TURNED 7 IN MAY. ADOPTED AND POWERED BY PLANTS, THE AGILE GIRL LOVES RUNNING, HIKING, HITTING THE BEACH AND CHILLING ON A PADDLEBOARD OR SKATEBOARD. YES, DOGS CAN BE VEGANS! DROOLING OVER AN ARRAY OF TREE NUTS, CASHEW STAYS AWAY FROM CASHEWS (HER . . . COUSINS?). SHE HAS A S-BARK-TACULAR PAW-SONALITY, WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR HER TO MEET NEW FRIENDS (AND FUR-RIENDS).

DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABLE OR HEARTWARMING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR PETS? I WAS SICK A FEW TIMES AND HAD TO STAY IN BED. CASHEW WOULD LIE BY THE EDGE OF THE BED. WHEN I GOT UP TO USE THE BATHROOM, SHE WOULD WAIT OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM AND ENSURE I GOT BACK TO THE BED SAFELY. EVEN IF MY HUSBAND TRIED TO DISTRACT HER WITH A BALL OR A COOKIE, SHE WOULD NOT GO AWAY. AS FOR THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS, I WOULD SAY EVERY TIME WE HIKE(D), THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE/HAD JUST AMAZES ME. ZIDANE (RESCUED AT THE AGE OF 9), BOOGIE, RANGER, NOW CASHEW, HAVE ALL HIKED OFF LEASH. AND THEY WOULD EITHER STAY BY MY SIDE OR REMAIN NO MORE THAN 10 METERS AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I CALLED THEIR NAMES, THEY WOULD COME TO ME. AS MUCH AS SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE ADULT DOGS, MIXED OR LARGE BREEDS WOULD BE HARD TO TRAIN AND WOULD NOT MAKE NICE FAMILY PETS, I SAY: LET GO OF BIASES. KEEP YOUR MIND (AND HEART) OPEN.

HOW DID YOU COME TO ADOPT OR ACQUIRE YOUR PET? CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND HOW THEY BECAME A PART OF YOUR FAMILY? ALL THREE DOGS THAT JOINED OUR FAMILY BEFORE CASHEW DID WERE ADOPTED FROM HONG KONG DOG RESCUE. WHEN BOOGIE, RANGER AND I WERE HIKING IN LUK KENG ONE SATURDAY, WE HEARD WHIMPERS COMING FROM A BUSH. WELL I GUESS RANGER AND I HEARD THEM, BOOGIE, WITH HIS DROOPY BASSET HOUND EARS, PROBABLY SMELLED A FURBALL. CASHEW’S PAWS WERE STILL PINK, BUT SHE WAS COVERED IN TICKS AND DID NOT SHOW INTEREST IN TREATS. AFTER SPENDING 4 HOURS AT THE VET CLINIC, I WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN MICROCHIPPED AND SO THERE WAS NO OWNER TO CALL. I THEN ASKED BOOGIE AND RANGER IF 27 THEY WANTED A SISTER. SINCE THEY DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING, I TOOK IT AS A YES.

HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS FROM YOUR PET? RANGER, THE BLACK MONGREL THAT I HAD HAD UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 16, TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-LOVE. “SCARY.” “AGGRESSIVE.” “UGLY.” “BAD LUCK.” “TASTY MEAT.” BLACK DOGS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH A PLETHORA OF NEGATIVE TRAITS. FORTUNATELY, RANGER NEVER SEEMED TO CARE. THE WAY HE WALKED REMINDS YOU OF A POISED, SELF-POSSESSED HORSE.

IN ADDITION, HAVING LIVED WITH DOGS FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, I BELIEVE THEY DO EXPERIENCE AN ARRAY OF EMOTIONS, INCLUDING FEAR, PAIN, ANXIETY AND SADNESS. AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONVINCED BY THE IDEA THAT “A DOG IS A PIG IS A SHEEP IS A COW IS A CHICKEN IS A DOLPHIN IS A TIGER IS A HUMAN”. IT SEEMS IRRATIONAL TO “COMPARTMENTALIZE OUR COMPASSION” AND DECIDE THAT SOME ANIMALS DESERVE TO LIVE, TO BE LOVED, WHEN SOME SHOULD BE ON OUR PLATES.

HOW CAN OWNING A PET POSITIVELY IMPACY ONE’S ABILITY TO FORM AND MAINTAIN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, SUCH AS MAKING NEW FRIENDS? BECAUSE OF MY DOGS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN CHALLENGING TO STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH NEIGHBORS. WE EVEN GO HIKING, CAMPING AND YACHTING TOGETHER.

DO PETS PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING STRESS OR TENSION WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS? IF SO, HOW? DEFINITELY. EVERY DOG SHOULD BE WALKED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY, AND THEY DON’T WALK THEMSELVES! SO WHEN WE TAKE THEM OUT, WE GET A CHANCE TO TAKE IN FRESH AIR, TALK TO OTHER PAW-RENTS, PET OTHER DOGS, STRETCH OUR LEGS. FOR THOSE WHO REALLY WANT TO ADOPT A DOG BUT CAN’T DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS, SHORT-TERM FOSTERING AND VOLUNTEERING ARE OTHER WAYS TO HELP STRAY OR HOMELESS ANIMALS.

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Teacher Interviews WITH MS BELINDA NG COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PETS? MY FAMILY HAS TWO LONG-HAIRED DACHSHUNDS, OR ‘SAUSAGE DOGS’ AS THEY ARE POPULARLY KNOWN AS. ROSIE IS OUR BLACK AND TAN 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND ROMEO IS A GOLDEN 1-YEAROLD BOY. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE WAY SAUSAGES LOOK AND IT’S VERY HARD TO RESIST THEIR CUTE FACES EVEN WHEN THEY DO NAUGHTY THINGS! THE BREED ORIGINATES FROM GERMANY AND THEY WERE BRED AS HUNTING DOGS THAT COULD BURROW TO CATCH SMALL PREY. I SUPPOSE THAT’S WHY BOTH ROSIE AND ROMEO ENJOY BEING CUDDLED AND LOVE TO SNUGGLE IN TIGHT SPACES!

DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABLE OR HEARTWARMING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR PETS? ONE OF THE MOST CLASSIC EXCUSES FOR STUDENTS TO GIVE THEIR TEACHER WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR HOMEWORK COMPLETED IS “THE DOG ATE IT”. THIS ACTUALLY CAME TRUE 2 YEARS AGO WHEN ROSIE GOT INTO MY TOTE BAG THAT CONTAINED MY STUDENTS’ COMPOSITIONS. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OUT A PILE FROM THE BAG AND RIP A FEW SHEETS AND THEN EAT SOME OF THE CORNERS OF THE PAPERS! I STILL REMEMBER BEING VERY EMBARRASSED HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO MY ENGLISH SET WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THEIR PAPERS AND WHY THEIR ESSAYS WERE HELD TOGETHER WITH TAPE WHEN I RETURNED THEM!

HOW DID YOU COME TO ADOPT OR ACQUIRE YOUR PET? CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND HOW THEY BECAME A PART OF YOUR FAMILY? WE HAD PUT IN SOME APPLICATIONS TO ADOPT A DOG, BUT NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL AND WE NOTICED THAT MOST OF THE DOGS THAT WERE AVAILABLE WERE MOSTLY LARGER BREEDS AND WE DIDN’T THINK THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CARE FOR A LARGE DOG THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF EXERCISE. THEREFORE, WE SEARCHED FOR A SMALLER BREED THAT IS BETTER SUITED TO HONG KONG STYLE APARTMENT LIVING. ROSIE JOINED OUR FAMILY IN MAY OF 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC WHICH WAS ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT OF A BLESSING IN DISGUISE AS WE WERE ABLE TO SPEND A LOT MORE TIME WITH HER WHEN WE WERE CONSTANTLY STUCK AT HOME. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, WE DECIDED TO FIND ROSIE A BUDDY. IT ACTUALLY TOOK SOME TIME TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AS WE LET ROSIE DECIDE. WE SET UP LITTLE VISITS WHERE SHE COULD INTERACT WITH OTHER DACHSHUND PUPPIES TO SEE WHO SHE WOULD GET ALONG WITH. AFTER ABOUT 4 VISITS, SHE FINALLY CHOSE ROMEO! 29

HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS FROM YOUR PET? IN MANY WAYS, HAVING A PET IS MUCH LIKE HAVING A CHILD AS IT REALLY IS A BIG COMMITMENT. I ONCE READ SOMETHING ABOUT PETS WHICH REALLY RESONATED WITH ME. “DOGS MIGHT BE A SMALL PART OF OUR LIFE, BUT TO THEM WE ARE THEIR WHOLE LIFE.” THIS IS A REALLY POWERFUL REMINDER OF HOW FAITHFUL AND LOVING OUR PETS ARE TO US AND HOW WE AS HUMANS SHOULD ALWAYS TREAT THEM WITH THE SAME LOVE DURING THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE WITH US.

HOW CAN OWNING A PET POSITIVELY IMPACY ONE’S ABILITY TO FORM AND MAINTAIN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, SUCH AS MAKING NEW FRIENDS? SINCE BECOMING A DOG OWNER, I HAVE DEFINITELY NOTICED THAT IT’S BEEN VERY EASY TO STRIKE UP CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER DOG OWNERS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHO LIKE TO CHAT ABOUT DOGS IN GENERAL OR SHARE TIPS ON HOW TO CARE FOR THEM. AND SINCE DACHSHUNDS ARE A BREED THAT IS HIGHLY RECOGNISABLE. THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO STOP TO PET ROSIE AND ROMEO AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM EVERYWHERE WE GO! ROSIE AND ROMEO ARE SOMEWHAT FAMOUS IN OUR COMPLEX, THEY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER 4-LEGGED FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS WHO REALLY LOVE THEM. THEY EVEN HAVE A DOG SQUAD THAT MEETS EACH EVENING TO GO ON WALKS TOGETHER SO THAT THEY CAN SOCIALISE!

DO PETS PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING STRESS OR TENSION WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS? IF SO, HOW? I THINK THAT ROSIE AND ROMEO HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD STRESS RELIEVERS FOR OUR FAMILY BECAUSE THEY LOVE US SO UNCONDITIONALLY. FROM THE MOMENT WE OPEN THE DOOR AFTER SCHOOL THEY ARE THERE TO GREET US WITH THEIR WAGGING TAILS AND SMILEY FACES, READY TO PLAY. I DON’T REALLY THINK THAT THERE MUCH TENSION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY IN GENERAL, BUT WHEN WE ARE FEELING DOWN OR UNHAPPY AFTER A BAD DAY, THE DOGS SEEM TO SENSE IT AND WILL ALWAYS TRY TO CHEER US UP WITH A LICK OR A WET NOSE TO LET US KNOW THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR US!

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GAME ON

founded by Owen Ng

Game On HK is a student-led initiative dedicated to offering sports opportunities to underprivileged children.

Our mission is to arrange training sessions led by a team of passionate secondary school students, both experienced and aspiring. Through these efforts, we strive to empower children to pursue their sports dreams by providing them with valuable training and mentorship. Game On is not just any ordinary organization, but a platform, connecting underprivileged children with sport-trained volunteers.

WHY I STARTED GAME ON Around a year ago, I took part in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Our team defeated every opponent easily and was crowned champions. However, feeling remorseful about our advantage, I refrained from celebrating with my teammates since our opponents lacked proper sports gear–wearing PE white shoes instead of the fancy basketball shoes we had, not to mention the absence of a proper basketball team jersey.

I want to bring out the message to youngsters that they can make an impact on society through their hobbies and interests. Volunteering should not be limited to education, giving out free lunch boxes, or helping out the homeless. It can also be about sports.

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MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE Driven by compassion, I gave him my own basketball and encouraged him to train diligently on his own.

Around a month ago, I crossed paths with the kid and his mother on my way to school. His mother shared with me that the kid had put in tremendous effort in his training and was now actively participating in competitions. It was a deeply moving moment for me, witnessing his transformation from zero to one. I had not anticipated that Game On would have such a significant impact and truly fulfill a child's dream.

ADVICE FOR CONSISTENTLY SUSTAINING ORGANIZATIONS Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the problem of underprivileged children lacking resources and activities to do has stirred up heated controversies. When I first founded Game On HK, I had no idea that this was such a major problem. I remember hosting our first three-week basketball camp with St. Barnabas Society & Home. Little did I know that this experience would open my eyes to the profound struggles faced by children who live in low-income neighborhoods, particularly when it came to lacking essential resources and opportunities for growth. During the camp, I met a kid who stood out among the participants, assertive in learning, and talented in dribbling even though it was his first lesson. Despite the hardships he faced, he displayed an immense passion for basketball. However, it became evident that he didn’t possess the necessary equipment to pursue his love for the sport. He arrived at the camp each day wearing the same worn-out T-shirt and shoes. After the training session, I walked up to him, eager to make sense of his circumstances. With a sense of vulnerability, he shared that his parents, burdened by financial constraints, were unable to afford a basketball for him. I was really shocked, as I realized that his dreams were hindered not by lack of talent or determination, but by the unfortunate circumstances he was born into.

HOW TO BALANCE MANAGING NGOS & ACADEMICS At SPCC, academics are of paramount importance, and I recognize the importance of staying on top of my studies. To ensure that I meet academic requirements while also fulfilling my responsibilities within my organization, I prioritize completing homework and assignments during school hours whenever possible.

My Advice for consistently sustaining organizations would be: First, “nothing is impossible”. I remember my friends and others laughing at my initiative and telling me that it was impossible. They believed I was too young to be able to handle that much work: from hosting meetings with other large-scale NGOs to creating a platform for volunteers and children. This was the biggest motivation for me because I wanted to prove them wrong. Since I established Game On HK, we have served over 600 children and recruited around 200 volunteers in Hong Kong.

Second, don’t expect rewards. Some individuals might start organizations just for their CVs and awards, I think it’s quite hard for them to succeed since their intention is just to fulfill the CV requirements.

HOW’S LIFE AS A

WORLD BACHELOR IN BUSINESS? FROM THE WBB DIRECTOR AND SPCC ALUMNUS

THREE WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITIES. THREE CONTINENTS. THREE DEGREES. ONE UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE. THE WORLD BACHELOR IN BUSINESS (WBB) IS A 4-YEAR PROGRAM ACROSS 3 CONTINENTS, EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH GLOBAL EXPERTISE, CULTURAL IMMERSION, AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. INTERVIEWING

WBB PROGRAM DIRECTOR PROFESSOR STEPHEN NASON & SPCC ALUMNUS JUSTIN TANG

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PROFESSOR NASON ON THE

BESTS and WORSTS of wbb GLOBAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING

BY ADAPTING TO DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES EACH YEAR, THE STUDENTS ARE MOLDED INTO TRUE GLOBAL CITIZENS, OFTEN MORE MATURE THAN PEERS THEIR AGE. REQUIRED TO MEET THE STANDARDS OF THREE DEGREES, THEY ARE FULLY ADEPT AT CRITICAL THINKING.

DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES THE BREADTH OF BUSINESS EDUCATION IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS PROVIDES THEM WITH A GOOD DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES. THE FINAL YEARS ALLOW THEM TO DELVE INTO AREAS OF INTEREST WITH A COMBINATION OF CRITICAL THINKING DEVELOPMENT AND REAL-WORLD GLOBAL EXPOSURE.

BREADTH AND DEPTH THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GENERAL BUSINESS EDUCATION WITH GREAT BREADTH, RATHER THAN DEPTH IN ANY ONE DOMAIN. ULTIMATELY, THE TRADEOFF IS BETWEEN A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION VERSUS THE ABILITY TO DEEPLY SPECIALIZE IN A PARTICULAR FIELD. 34

JUSTIN TANG ON

how does wbb differ from spcc schooling?

GLOBAL MINDSET EVERYONE I MEET HAS LIVED IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. YOU GET TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUNDS, WHICH IS NOT ONLY INSIGHTFUL BUT ALSO IMPROVES YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS.

EXPERIENTIAL EXCERCISES YOU GET TO PRACTICE YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS THROUGH SIMULATIONS OF IMAGINARY SITUATIONS, LIKE HOW TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE OR CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST, WHICH IS ALWAYS A HELPFUL DEBRIEF.

LECTURE FORMAT UNLIKE SPCC, EVERY LESSON YOU ATTEND IS WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE. YOU ALSO GET MANY CHANCES TO PRESENT AND DISCUSS YOUR FINDINGS, WHICH CAN FOSTER A REFRESHING AND FRUITFUL SYNTHESIS OF IDEAS. 35

unrivaled global exposure JUSTIN’S FAVORITE EXTRACURRICULAR RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

GLOBAL SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM IN JAPAN, HE FORMULATED EXPANSION STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AIMING TO REACH SOUTHWEST ASIA, HONING HIS CONSULTING SKILLS THROUGH HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT.

INTERNATIONAL CASE COMPETITIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, HE PRESENTED BUSINESS IDEAS TO COMPANY EXECUTIVES AND RECEIVED FEEDBACK, WHICH PROVIDED INSIGHTS EXCEEDING THAT OF NORMAL LECTURES.

USC COLLEGE CHOIR IN USC, HE SANG WITH A SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES AND PERFORMED AT A CONCERT WITH NEIGHBORING SCHOOLS FOR HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

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ART SUBMISSION

省略號啊，平淡無奇的黑點後藏了多 少句說話？你是別人的欲言又止，你 是別人醖䖆已久的心底話。你不像句 號斬釘截鐵的完結，不像逗號欲擒故 縱的挑逗，不像感嘆號的無病呻吟。 那圓圓的小黑點是囁嚅的訥訥，是男 孩緋紅的臉色下的害羞。你繪畫出無 言，猶勝千言萬語。你編織著沉默， 猶勝千絲萬縷。你蘊藏朦朧中的情 感，模糊不清，如春雨下的絲絲詩 意。你是情人留戀的眼神，有著暖心 的餘溫，如殘留嘴上的甜蜜，飄忽的 餘韻。省略號啊，你的美非文字能 說，因你是寫不出的迷霧，是畫不出 的幽秘。你讓空中彌留凝固的音律迷 人動聽，在耳中編編起舞......

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夜裏

眠

Katie Wong

她害怕夜，特別是那些無眠夜。夜幕低垂， 天色暗沉，她心理有種說不出的苦澀。可能 是夜裏靜悄悄的一片迷茫，空氣中瀰漫著一 把詭異的聲音，訴說著她的真話，她的心 聲，她的夢語。 第一晚。她躺在床上，雙眼儘管已閉上了很 久，依舊無法入睡。這是一個謐靜得令人窒 息的夜。她看看床頭擺著的時鐘，輕嘆一 聲，喃喃告誡自己：「我要睡覺了，不然明 天沒有精力上班。」可一想到明天，她心頭 就蒙上一層陰霾，想到那日復一日的無聊工 作，她彷彿更難呼吸——泡咖啡給老闆，為 老闆打印文件，替老闆接電話⋯⋯思緒一下 子飛到那禿頭肥肚的老闆，她心裡就一陣鬱 悶。 這不是她夢寐以求的生活。她睜著眼睛，望 向房間天花板。她這雙手，應該是來揮舞彩 筆的，而不是用來打字的。她這雙腿，應該 是來遊走於色澤之間的，而不是用來踩著五 吋高跟鞋奔走寫字樓的。她無奈地嘆了口 氣，沒法子，生活所逼，繪畫不能給予她安 逸的生活，秘書的工作能賦予她一個家，但 正是這個家把她囚禁，搾乾空氣，如惡夢般 纏繞她，使她輾轉難眠。這夜，註定是個無 眠夜。 第二晚。她早早躺上床上，卻再次無法入 眠，房外雷電交加，狂風暴雨，雨聲「滴滴 答答」敲響她的窗戶。她倚在床邊，細細聽 著房外的波濤洶湧。

她藏不住嘴角的笑意，睡意消散間她憶起 今天如夢如幻的回憶。她閒餘時在公司一 時技癢，偷偷背著老闆畫畫。瞬間，她感 受到辦公室那蒼白黯然的牆壁，在片刻之 中活了過來，畫紙上蝶舞的手，於靈感泉 湧之際，將心中最美的風景捕捉、凝固， 使它永遠躍然紙上。一朵豔麗、嬌美的玫 瑰翩然雪白之上，栩栩如生，那瓣嫣紅似 乎真的搖搖欲墜，想到這，她忍不住用手 指在被子上撫摸，把念想中那朵無瑕給刻 劃出來。公司一名客戶是畫廊老闆，他恰 巧經過秘書桌，愕然於深藏不露的畫技， 深深為這玫瑰所顛倒。她拿到了一次在畫 展中展露光芒的機會，興奮地直奔回家， 跳上床上，蓋著被子雀躍尖叫，激動不 已。 窗外的雷電響徹雲霄，把她一下子從如癡 如醉的夢裡叫醒過來。她的確是得到千載 難逢的機會，但她對著這新的人生好像還 是隔著稀薄的霧氣，迷茫中帶點迷失，正 如隔著現在劃過窗邊的雨水看那片漆黑的 夜。

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她只是個小小新人，這次幸蒙提攜，但可能 就只有這麼一次。她畫功精湛，但寂寂無 聞，可能如煙花般，璀璨地染亮一片黑夜， 但瞬間即逝，曇花一現，永遠有畫得更美， 更年輕的新血等著，等著替代她，等著淘汰 她。她無法放下現在那普通，卻又踏實的生 活，去追求那如星際般遙不可及，卻偏偏又 在此無眠夜額外生輝的夢想。一時之間，百 感交集，百般滋味湧上心頭，不甘於平凡、 執念、虛榮、期盼、怯懦翻滾心中。本來白 天美事使她朦朧中帶點睡意，但她思緒洶湧 如窗外天氣，徹徹底底地失眠了。這夜，註 定是個無眠夜。 第三晚。她蜷縮在床上，早已哭成一個淚人 兒。畫展她是去了，展現出了的花畫卻乏人 問津，成了整個畫展唯一個只有寥寥數人駐 足欣賞地畫。那些觀賞者無一不湊近看，之 後挑眉弄眼地挑剔一番，那些準備「打卡」 地手夜放下了手機，嘴裏呢喃著不專業地吐 槽，「色澤好怪。」「沒點新意。」「怎麼這人 的畫全是花？」她用被子摀著雙耳，希望能 聽不見那些批評和質疑，然而這些字詞仍像 詭異的夢囈，迴盪耳邊。她啼哭著，滿心委 屈，一雙眼睛哭得又紅又腫。嘗試入眠時淚 水沾濕了枕頭，她抱著頭，哭喊著：「讓我 睡吧！」 這時，手機傳來訊息聲，她心想反正睡不 著，不如看完訊息再睡，然而迎面而來的是 第二波衝擊。 老闆發了訊息，狠狠謾罵她全副心思擺在畫 展上，交給老闆的文件錯漏百出。「你與其 一心追求那虛名，浪費光陰，還不如一心一 意做好份內事。夢想不能當飯吃啊。」這幾 句比那些對著她作品指手畫腳的人所說的毒 言更傷她的心。她捂著心裡如撕裂般的疼 痛，咬牙想停止這該死的挫敗感吞噬她的心 靈。她頹喪地盯著天花板，此刻只想躲進夢 裏了，但現實殘酷地使她的意識依舊無比清 醒。那可望但不可及的星辰猶如一個調皮的 孩子，讓她觸摸到自己的衣角，卻又一轉頭 扭身溜走了。

她此刻就像孤伶伶於深夜呆呆站於路燈 下，想伸手抓著那片半明半晦的燈光，但 光線卻在指縫中漏過，等她回過神來，自 己仍然立於原地，等著黑夜蔓延至血液， 等著悔恨交織於腦中，等著她最後一瓣花 瓣凋零落下。這夜，註定是個無眠夜。 第二十晚。這幾天下來，她覺得自己內心 滄桑許多，褪去了原來的天真爛漫，卻又 更成熟了。這夜，她坐在窗邊，翻閱這手 裡的文件。這二十天無疑是她人生中一波 高低起伏，她雖跌得遍體鱗傷，但傷口慢 慢癒合了，她撫摸著心裡的傷疤，輕輕一 笑。這些夜裏，她嚐到了天堂的甜美，也 嚐到了地獄的辛辣。那晚哭完後，第四天 早上那畫廊老闆打電話邀請她再次參加畫 展，即便上一次反應並不理想，但老闆希 望她再次嘗試。深思熟慮後，她婉言拒絕 了。她希望將時間放回自己的工作上，並 且再加磨練、潤飾後再戰江湖。以前是她 稚嫩、魯莽，但沒試過，又怎麼知道如何 更進一步呢？所以她並不後悔，也不羞 恥。飛躍著追夢當然好，可她希望這一躍 不用摔到頭破血流。床上的她望著窗外， 夜深了，大家都回家睡覺，只有她在一個 又一個的無眠夜中追逐現實。 她突然心念一動，俯身拿起彩筆和色盤。 她閉上眼睛，醞釀著這幾天的思愁揮筆而 就。先是一片深藍色的底色，繼而是幾顆 閃爍的星星，再是一個燈柱下哭泣的小男 孩，之後再輕輕繪出準備升起的太陽。她 欣賞著手裡的畫作，莫名間睡意消失殆 盡，只有空氣殘留水彩的味道。在她討厭 的無眠夜裏，她再三失眠，臉上卻掛著滿 足的笑意。她放下畫作，倚在窗邊，享受 著初晨的夕陽。這夜，註定是個無眠夜。

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The Bitterest Mangoes Sophie Tsang

In the calloused hand of the old man, The crumbled banknote he insisted on giving.

“You risked your life for my Ann, You are the reason she’s living!”

The fire broke out in the rustic countryside; The fusty electric fan was the culprit.

We hurried with the quickest ride, Yet not nearly quick enough to restrain it.

The old lady was not killed, yet unsparingly injured, “Not optimistic,” the ambulanceman sighed.

Her husband, the old man, was uninjured; Lucky he was, he went outside.

“I was stupid to leave her unprotected.”

“She can’t walk well, I shouldn’t have left her alone.”

“I am really sorry you firemen are affected.”

He mumbled, he whined, he moaned.

Told from the humble cottage, they were anything but wealthy; Not to mention now with their house destroyed.

Yet now, he half-begged me, To take the money he devoid.

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We told him, firm as steel, we cannot take the money, He, with tears like raindrops, kneeled down before us, “You will always be the noblest of men to me.”

“Thank you all for saving us.”

They tried their best, Yet even doctors were powerless to save a body so damaged.

Though, as always, unexpressed, We all were sorrowful for what happened.

It was one week later, evening, As I leave the firestation with a tired soul, Was the old man, a bit humpbacked, waiting, In his hands, big basket of mangoes, the colour gold.

He glimpsed, a bit shy, “I don’t have much, but at least take the mangoesI planted them myself, for you all to try.”

I stared, eyes blurry, at those golden mangoes.

Later that night we shared them ‘round, The mangoes were succulent, yes; Yet strangely, no one exclaimed, no one made a sound.

This will be one of those memorable nights, I guess.

The mangoes.

They were the sweetest, yet bitterest, sourest thing I had ever tasted.

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A DINNER WITH AN EMPEROR Sophie Tang In the hazy state, I rubbed my eyes in disbelief: "Where am I?" I saw that I was sitting on a mat. There was nothing on the bed except for one person. The porcelain pillow was clean and jade-white and covered with blue Chinese patterns. The furnishings in the room were so simple, with only two wooden tables and chairs. It looked like an architecture that I had read in Chinese history textbooks.

The thick, unique woody fragrance filled the room.

A woman in an ancient costume came in festive steps, hurriedly said， "Hey, my son, Emperor Bing has come!"

Before finishing her words, she enthusiastically pulled me out of the room. We stumbled along the way, and there were countless questions in my mind - Is this the Song Dynasty? She calls me "baby", so am I her son? Suddenly, the woman let go of my hand and stopped. The people were all wearing simple and festive ancient clothes, and everyone looked so serious and busy.

Some of them were walking around with basins that seemed to be used for washing faces, and some were bringing out pots and pots of smoky dishes in the woodshed nearby. Men helped burn, fan, and add firewood. The sweat on their faces kept dripping down, but their eyes were staring at the blazing flames all the time. At this time, a familiar yet unfamiliar aroma of food came to my nostrils.

Have I smelled it? Why does the food in front of me look so familiar? Let me see…

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Oh! Isn’t this the must-have reunion dish for my family every New Year – Poon Choi?

People also helped move the tables and chairs. Sauce is poured on the pots of vegetables. A child who was playing with stones walked to the middle table and sat down.

The people on the side immediately said, "Please enjoy it, your Majesty!" The villagers then returned to their seats, and took me to the side of Emperor Bing, saying that I am the glory of the whole village as a minor official in the wealth field.

As soon as we settled down, I started a conversation with emperor Bing.

According to him, he didn’t like being an emperor at all. He changed from being trapped in the palace to "touring" everywhere; from eating palace food to eating "hundreds of families' food"; from studying every day to "doing nothing".

I fell silent - not because of fear of being revealed, but the mixed feelings. The emperor was just a child! Why is war ruthlessly taking away innocent lives? Perhaps, the old saying is true, ignorance really is bliss!

The feast ended with laughter. Perhaps, only with these characters, big and small, can we write a history with ups and downs, joys and sorrows.

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SECTION FIVE

STUDENT POST ‘AVIANA’

SCHOOL FUN

ELLENI’s playlist

spots in school

SPCC WORD SEARCh

spcc attributes Balanced Caring Communicators Community minded Courageous Creative Critical thinkers Passionate learners Principled

word search

elleni’s playlist MARY MEMORIES - MAROON 5 <et’s bring back all the memories of everything we’ve been through.

MICHAEL CUCURUCU

- NICK MULVEY

Take me back down the vista of my years till the melodies of childish days are upon me

JASON

紅日 - 李克勤 命運就算顛沛流離， 更不應放棄。

ANKE APART OF ME - TAKOYASHI When you just can’t get enough of that person

REWRITE THE STARS JAMES ARTHUR, ANNE-MARIE

NINA

Together, we rewrite the stars, defying the limits of what's possible.

勁浪漫 超溫馨

LESTER

- GARETH.T 「人人話我笨 唱歌點發達」 Dreams can be realized even if you have nothing

青春告別式- 張敬軒

JUSTIN

剛剛出發已抵步 青春一夜就變老 我們能否抓緊這剎那的美好？

I THINK I LEFT THE STOVE ON - HOTEL UGLY

GRACE

Everything will fall right into place; all we do is wait for better days

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school fun what are your favourite spots in school?

the classroom is my favorite place at school because it is a space dedicated to a lot of valuable memories. Not only does knowledge come alive there, but it is also a room glutted with laughter. I definitely enjoy chatting with my friends, discussing maths questions, and sharing snacks together in my classroom.

the library is my absolute favorite place at school because it's like stepping into a magical realm of knowledge and adventure! It's not just a quiet space filled with books; it's a treasure trove of imagination and discovery.

the canteen is hands down my favorite place at school because it's a hub of deliciousness and camaraderie! The aroma of freshly baked treats and sizzling snacks fills the air, enticing me with mouthwatering options.

But it's not just about the food; it's about the laughter and chatter that fill the air as friends gather to eat together. The canteen truly is a place where good vibes and tasty bites collide!

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2023-2024 Issue 02

Aviana

STUDENT POST

Student Union Teachers-In-Charge

Student Union Editorial Board

Student Union Publicity Board

Mr Paul Chan Mr Brett Lee Ms Helen Kwok Ms Leung Ngai Man Ms Chik Shuk Mei Seto Ching Grace 5H Samuel Li 3D Sophie Tang 3D Sophie Tsang 4D Avery Tam 4G Katie Wong 5E Lai Tsz Yiu 5B Leanna Jiam 3B Layla Wong 3B Beatrice Lee 4G Shannon Ting 4G Cynthia Or 4H Vincy Yuen 5B Anson Ma 5H